Overwhelmed by the cacophony of the outside world, and feeling as though my energy was locked away, a spontaneous date with myself began.
In my former self, I would never have imagined dining alone, aimlessly driving without a plan, sipping coffee by myself, or wandering through bookstores. All these activities outside the comfort of my familiar space used to require a companion, at least until about six months ago.
I started having spontaneous days where I yearned to sit alone somewhere, hide away in a bookstore for hours, or stroll through a supermarket with a near-empty basket. During those moments, I truly felt like I was eluding something. No one – not family, friends, or a significant other – knew where I was or what I was doing. And I relished that feeling. It wasn’t because I had issues with people around me or any hidden motives. It was simply that, sometimes, I wanted to be invisible, to escape attention, and slipping away provided a taste of that. I had no idea that disappearing from my own life for a few minutes or hours could be so healing.
Today, the chilly afternoon in Hanoi is just one of those days. Under the influence of a powerful mood swing, a date with myself is hastily decided – no plans, no purpose, entirely guided by the desires of the present moment.
A strong craving for snacks overwhelms me, so I decide to dine alone. I sit alone on a plastic chair in the 10-degree weather. A young couple (I presume they’re in love) occupies the table next to mine, but I don’t feel lonely. I leisurely observe from the time the café was bustling with customers until only I remain. Now, I feel like having something else.
As I savor my meal, I notice a peculiar old man seated across the street. His eyes twinkle with mischief, and he wears a tattered brown coat that looks out of place in this trendy part of the city. He seems to be observing me, and a strange feeling washes over me. Could he be some sort of mystical figure, a guardian of secrets hidden in the labyrinthine streets of Hanoi?
Curiosity gets the better of me, and after I finish my meal, I decide to investigate. I make a detour to another café I want to visit (although it’s not my favorite), and I relish a caramel macchiato all by myself. Everyone around has a companion, a job, or a significant other. Meanwhile, I have myself, and I’m comfortable with that. I remember that I need to buy some colored paper, so I decide to head to a bookstore. It takes me 5 minutes to find what I need and 45 minutes to wander around – it’s become a habit, something I can’t restrain anymore. But in return, I think I’m on my way back.
As I leave the bookstore, I spot the mysterious old man again, this time sitting on a park bench. He’s feeding pigeons, and they flock around him as if he holds the secrets of the universe. Could he be a wizard, practicing his craft in plain sight? My imagination runs wild, and I’m compelled to approach him.
“Excuse me, sir,” I begin tentatively. “Do you come here often?”
The old man looks up, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “Oh, my dear, I’ve been coming here for longer than you can imagine. I find solace in the simplicity of life, just as you do.”
His cryptic words leave me intrigued, and I find myself sitting next to him on the bench. We share stories of our spontaneous adventures and the joy of escaping the chaos of the world. The old man’s name is Mr. Eldric, and he hints at a world of magic hidden within the ordinary.
“Sometimes, my dear,” he whispers, “we must embrace the unexpected to discover the extraordinary.”
With those words, Mr. Eldric reaches into his coat and pulls out a small, intricately carved box. He hands it to me, and when I open it, I find a sparkling, iridescent stone unlike any I’ve ever seen. It seems to hold a piece of the universe’s mysteries within its depths.
As I gaze at the mesmerizing stone, Mr. Eldric leans closer and whispers secrets of magic, self-discovery, and the importance of embracing the unknown. He becomes my unexpected mentor, guiding me on a path of self-care and self-discovery that I could never have imagined.
And so, my spontaneous date with myself becomes a journey filled with enchantment, where every moment holds the potential for magic and self-fulfillment. With Mr. Eldric’s guidance, I learn that sometimes, the most extraordinary adventures begin with a simple step into the unknown.
In the end, I realize that the true magic of a “Self-Care Date” lies not only in spending time with oneself but also in the unexpected encounters and discoveries that can transform our lives in the most enchanting ways.
Self-Care Date: Spending Quality Time with Yourself and Its Wonderful Benefits
What do you do when you’re stressed? Do you just want to stop everything, go home, rest, and have a good sleep? I know many people would choose to indulge in their favorite food, sleep, watch movies, travel, or simply return to their family… All these activities can be considered self-care, but there’s one small caveat: Self-care is directly related to yourself. You spend time on yourself, doing or spending on something that brings happiness and comfort to you. Ultimately, it brings a sense of freshness, rejuvenated energy, and a prepared mindset to return to the hustle and bustle of life.
A “Self-Care Date” is simply a “date with yourself,” where you detach from work and worries to dedicate time to take care of yourself. Regardless of whether it’s 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, half a day, or a full day, as long as you know how to make the most of that time to focus on yourself and practice your “Self-Care Date,” it will bring you a lot of meaningful experiences.